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Tejano Artists Unite in get-out-the-vote campaign

When top artists and powerful business players come together, it provides a good opportunity to send out important messages to the community, said Tejano Music National Convention organizer David Chavez.

"For us, whenever dates like Nov. 4 comes around, it is important time for us," said Chavez, referring to the community outreach of his group and groups like the NCLR. "We always want to take advantage of the opportunity when we have the star power and market leaders in the Tejano genre, that are participating in the convention, to send out an important message."

That message is what Chavez had in mind when he called upon the powerful Rock the Vote organization to partner with Tejano artists in a unprecedented grassroots campaign with a purpose -- a true get-out-the-vote campaign that will feature an original song recorded by a gathering of the top artists.

Details of the song and the campaign will be hammered out during the 5th annual Tejano Music National Convention, scheduled Aug. 15-17 at the Dallas Convention Center and Hyatt Regency Hotel at Reunion.

Officials are expecting more than 7,000 music enthusiasts, fans and music industry representatives at the largest Latin music convention of its kind.

Chavez said he understands the impact a united voice can have - an influence that his mentor Raul Yzaguirre, former president of NCLR engrained in him. He expects that the convention will unite all of the performing artists behind a campaign to turn out the Latino vote.

According to Chavez, Tejano artists Javier Galvan, Chente Barrera and Sunny Sauceda are collaborating on an inspiring song that will be recorded and the accompanying video (and YouTube) and TV PSA and radio PSA will insure that Tejano artists voices are heard, urging music fans across the country to vote.

"I wanted to do this campaign for two reasons," he said. "One, to help the visibility of Tejano music and to give the artists the chance to be united to have a message in a purpose beyond making money and singing songs.

"Also, to be responsible to their fan base in that they actually have a chance to influence the election. Everyone knows that Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, those are all going to be huge battlegrounds.

"The Hispanic community everywhere are segments that both OBama and McCain are going to be going after strong."

Singer Sunny Sauceda said he was proud to participate in the campaign.

"This is an important campaign, Voting is part of being an American, be being Tejano. It is a part of our heritage," he said.

"Whether the fans come from the norteno genre or Tex-Mex, conjunto, Tejano whatever, we all need to be aware that it important to vote, we need that kind of representation."

The convention will offer an opportunity for the artists to formally announce the campaign and the Rock The Vote partnership.

According to Chavez, singer Jay Perez is planning to record a live album from the convention center. He is employing noted producer Gilbert Velasquez and his mobile recording studio to record his show Friday night, Aug 15.

Perez is inviting special guests Shelly Lares and members of Malo.

"The recording equipment will be there and I think we can have all three artists meet and at the same time get the song recorded," Chavez said. "I am also seeking to get other involved, including top producers like Gilbert Velasquez and Bob Gallarza."

Sauceda said the song lyrics will be pretty straight forward.

"I want the song to say why it is important to vote," he said. "We can't just sit around. We have to be active. We have to become activists and try to embrace, utilize our rights as Americans.

"Too many people take it for granted that we have the right to vote."

Chavez said he has already got initial confirmations from the Univision Network to run the get-out-the-vote song as a PSA.

"I think overall, we have the ability to reach millions of people like no other, to have a message of get out the vote," Chavez said.

For more details on the song including audio clips, convention coverage, concert and program schedule, sponsors list, photos and videos, T-shirts and more visit www.latinpointe.com)